Fluid pressure medium dispensing system



March 9, 1954 3, A JR 2,671,516

FLUID PRESSURE MEDIUM DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 15. 1949 3Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

BYA arg GPamfiJn ATTORNEY March 9, 1954 c. GRANT, JR

FLUID PRESSURE MEDIUM DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 15, 1949 3Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. Cf pazuf d};

A TTORNEY March 9, 1954 H. c. GRANT, JR

FLUID PRESSURE MEDIUM DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 13, 1949 5Sheets-Sheet 3 IHIIII' "I ll.

. I INVENTOR- Hal /y C QazaZ; 1: BY

V, Z //%V A TTORNEY Patented Mar. 9, 1954 FLUID PRESSURE MEDIUMDISPENSING SYSTEM Harry 0, Grant, .l'r., Ridgewood, N. J assignor toSpecialties Development Corporation, Belleville, N. J a corporation ofNew Jersey Application September 13, 1949,. Serial No. 115,423

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to fluid pressure medium dispensingsystems for storing and releasing a fluid pressure medium, such ascarbon dioxide or the like, adapted to be utilized for fireextinguishing and other similar purposes.

The invention is more particularly concerned with such systems wherein aplurality of receptacles for storing the medium are to be dischargedindividually or coincidentally into a common manifold for conducting themedium to its point of use. In such systems, it has been found desirableto utilize main valves for releasing the medium from the receptacles,which are pressure operated either by medium from the receptacles orfrom an independent source, or by mediumdi'scharged into the manifoldfrom one or more of the receptacles in the system, such receptaclesbeing generally designated as master or control cylinders. The source ofpressure medium for so eflecting operation of the pressure operablereleas means may be under the controlof one or more types of releasedevices or control head's including locally or remotely, manually orautomatically operated devices, the selection and arrangement of whichmay be varied widely to meet the desired operating characteristics ofthe system involved.

Systems of the foregoing described character generally are utilized togood advantage for accomplishing their intended purpose, but, due totheir construction and design, are subject to certain inherentdisadvantages.

There is always the possibility that the syste may be discharged whileone or more receptacles are disconnected from the manifold for thepurpose of weighing its contents, repair, replacement, recharging orother servicing operations, thus making it necessary to guard againstthe loss of all or substantial amounts of medium through the connectionor connections from which such receptacles have been removed. Also,while receptacles are disconnected from the manifold, during transit tothe location where the system is to be installed or on such locationprior to connection thereof into the system or while temporarilydisconnected for servicing. there is a possibility that the receptaclesmay be discharged accidentally, unintentionally or due to unauthorizedtampering therewith. Upon such discharge, the sudden flow of pressurmedium from the receptacle produces a jet propulsion effect which mayset the receptacle in motion'to cause damage to property or personalinjury.

In order to guard against the foregoing contingencics, the elementsmaking up these systems have been equipped with safety devices designedto minimize or eliminate the undesirable consequences. This, however,has resulted in making such systems unduly complicated and costly and sohighly specialized that the component elements could not b useduniversally and interchangeably to construct a wide variety of systems.Also, the requirement of various safety devices complicated the assemblyof the system and induced faulty assembly of systems resulting inimproper or ineffective operation.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide systems ofthe foregoing character which overcome the disadvantages just described.

Another object is to provide such systems which are simplified inconstruction, are reduced in cost, and can be readily assembled andserviced.

Another object is to more or less standardize th elements making up suchsystems to render them universally adaptable in constructing a widevariety of systems therefrom.

Another object is to embody the required safety devices in such systemswithout complicating their assembly.

Another object is to utilize several such safety devices in cooperatingrelation whereby they are adapted to accomplish a joint function whenconnected and to accomplish individual functions when disconnected.

Another object is to provide an improved coupling for establishingconnection between the manifold and the receptacles wherein such safetydevices are embodied.

Another object is to provide such couplings comprising members which aredetachably connected in a manner which assures proper functioning of thesafety devices associated therewith and eliminates faulty assembly.

Another object is to provide a combined fluid pressure medium releasecontrol valve and manifold coupling unit.

A further object is to provide a main valve for the receptaclesconstructed and. arranged to condition the safety devices to facilitateactuation of main. valve pressure operable means by pressure medium themanifold and to facilitate discharge of. the pressure medium in thereceptacles through the coupling.

A still further object consists in the construction and arrangement ofelements of the coupling and main valve members whereby the foregoingobjects are accomplished by a minimum number of parts.

Other and further objects of the invention will 3 be obvious upon anunderstanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, orwill be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages notreferred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employmentof the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawingsforming a part of the specification, wherein:

Figure l is a, schematic view of a portion of a fluid pressure mediumdispensing system embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating acombined fluid pressure medium main release valve and manifold couplingunit used in connection with the system shown in Figure 1, with theparts thereof in coupled relation and the valve in closed position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 on Figure 2illustrating an arrangement for facilitating quick connection anddisconnection of the coupling members.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the valve in open position.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 with the parts in uncoupledrelation.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and more particularly to Figure 1thereof, there is shown a portion of fluid pressure medium dispensingsystem comprising a common discharge manifold ID for conducting themedium to its point of use having a plurality of T-fittings ll connectedtherein, a plurality of receptacles 12, such as cylinders for storingliquefied carbon dioxide, a combined fluid pressure medium releasecontrol valve and manifold coupling unit M in accordance with thepresent invention on each receptacle, and a conduit l5, such as aflexible hose, connecting each unit to one of the fittings H.

The system illustrated herein is of the pressure operated type generallyknown as a single pipe system, that is, a single pipe, such as themanifold [0, serves to conduct the released fluid pressure medium to thepoint of use and also serves to conduct medium released therein from oneor more control or master cylinders, for example, the cylinder A, to therelease control valves of the other cylinders connected to the manifold,for example, the cylinders B, whereby pressure operation of these valvesis effected to release the medium stored in cylinders B into themanifold In order to release the medium from the cylinder A, the unit l4thereof is provided with a control device l6, herein illustrated by wayof example as the locall operable hand wheel type, although it will beunderstood that any other suitable control device of the locally orremotely operable type may be utilized, such devices being well known inthe art.

While only one master cylinder A and only two cylinders B have beenshown to illustrate a system embodying the present invention, it will beunderstood that any suitable number of cylinders A and B may beconnected to the manifold. Preferably, at least two cylinders A areprovided, which may have control devices arranged for simultaneousdischarge to supply sufficient pressure medium in the manifold adaptedto effect the discharge of as many as 100 cylinders B.

The combined fluid pressure medium release control valve and manifoldcoupling unit l4 for the cylinder A is shown in detail in Figure 2.

This unit generally comprises a valve body or casing 20. a closure 2ifor the upper end of the valve body which also serves as a couplingmember, a second coupling member 22 suitably secured or formed with thelower end of the hose i5, coupling means 24 for removably connecting thecoupling members 2| and 22, and pressure operable valve means,anti-recoil means and check valve means cooperatively associated withthe coupling members and the valve body, as will be described in detailhereinafter.

The valve body has a lower externally threaded section 25 fitted intothe neck opening of the cylinder or receptacle and has an enlarged uppersection 26 threaded externally to receive the closure 2|. The interiorof the body has a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, the lowerportion of which is formed with a shoulder 21 for supporting a flange 29at the upper end of a syphon tube 30 extending into the cylinder. Theupper portion of the through bore is enlarged at the section 26 tojserveas a piston cylinder 3| for pressure operable valve opening means to bedescribed hereinafter.

Intermediate the upper and lower portions of the through bore of thevalve body, a bushing member 32 is threadedly secured to the valve body,which has a central bore 34 formed with a shoulder 35 adjacent its lowerend and which has a main valve seat 36 at the lower end surrounding thebore 34. The bushing member 32 and the shoulder 29 define a main valvechamber 31 and the syphon tube 30 constitutes an inlet for this chamber.

A main valve member 40 is normally urged upwardly against its seat 36 bya spring 4| having its lower end supported on a shoulder 42 formed inthe syphon tube 30. The valve member 40 has an upwardly facing centralbore or well 44 for slidably supporting a stem 45 associated with ananti-recoil check valve member 46.

The closure member 2| serves as a cover for the upper end of the valvecasing and comprises a threaded skirt 41 secured to the upper casingsection 26, a top or cover portion 49 and a cylindrical boss portion 50extending upwardly from the cover portion and having a central throughbore 5| provided with a downwardly facing valve seat 52 adjacent itsupper end arranged for cooperation with the valve member 46 in themanner described hereinafter. A gasket 54 is disposed in an annularrecess 53 adjacent the lower end of the bore 5|.

The pressure operable means for effecting opening or unseating of themain valve member 40 include a piston assembly comprising an annularpiston 55 disposed in the cylinder 3| and formed with an annular recess56 for housing a gasket 57, an upwardly extending sleeve 59 on thepiston slidably disposed in the bore 5| of the closure portion 50, and adownwardly extending sleeve 60 on the underside of the piston having agasket 6| thereon in sliding engagement with the bore 34 of the bushingmember 32. The lower end of the sleeve 60 is adapted to extend throughthe port defined by the main valve seat 36 and engage the main valvemember 40 and unseat the same upon downward movement of the pistonassembly. Upon unseating of the main valve member, pressure medium inthe valve chamber 31 is conducted through a plurality of apertures orslots 62 in the sleeve 60 to the valve outlet, conduit means provided bythe bore through the piston 55, the sleeves 59 and 60, and the bore 51of the closure member 2!.

The piston 55 is normally urged upwardly against the underside of theclosure cover portion 49, with its sleeve 60 out of engagement with themain valve member 40, by a spring 84 having its upper end engaging theunderside of the piston and having its lower end seated on a shoulder 65formed at the lower end of the piston cylinder 3!.

The pressure operable piston assembly illustrated herein is of the typeadapted to be actuated by pressure medium from the receptacle l2 or bypressure medium from the manifold l0. To accomplish the former, apassage 66 formed with a valve seat 61 for a pilot valve member 69extends from the main valve chamber 31 to a chamber sealed off by thecontrol device It and a second passage H extends through the valve bodyfrom the chamber 10 to the piston cylinder 3| in back of the piston 55.Upon operation of the control device I6, the pilot valve member isunseated to allow pressure medium to enter the piston cylinder andactuate the piston assembly.

Actuation of the piston assembly by pressure medium from the manifold isaccomplished by providing a passage 12 extending from the bore of thepiston assembly through the piston 55 to the upper end of the pistoncylinder.

In order to prevent the loss of pressure medium through either thepassage H or the passage 12 when pressure medium is introduced throughthe other, a check valve 14 is provided in the passage H which preventsthe flow of medium to the chamber 10. and a check valve 15 is providedin the passage '12 which prevents the flow of medium from the pistoncylinder to the piston assembly bore.

The coupling member 22 comprises a cylindrical tubular portion 16 havingthe hose I5 con nected to its upper end and an outer flange H at itslower end adapted to be disposed over the upper end of the closuremember portion 50. At the lower interior end of the coupling member 22,an upwardly facing valve seat 19 is provided which defines a port inregistry with the bore 5| of the closure member portion.

A valve member 80, herein shown as a ball, is adapted to engage the seat19 to close its port but is normally held on": its seat by the upper endof the valve stem 45, when the coupling members are connected tomaintain communication between the conduit means in the couplingmembers. Movement of the valve member in a direction ofi its seat islimited by a spider 8| secured in the bore of the coupling memberportion 16 and having a central, bearing aperture 82 for slidablyreceiving a stem 84 carried by the valve member 80, the stem having aflange 85 thereon for engaging the underside of the spider. Such limitedmovement of the valve member 80 also restricts the upward movement ofthe valve member 46 towards its seat 52 when the coupling members areconnected.

The coupling means. 24, illustrated more particularly in, Figures 2 and3, comprise a sleeve 86 disposed about the boss portion 5i! of thecoupling or closure member 2! and the flange 11 of the coupling member22, and an inwardly extending shoulder 81 at the upper end thereofadapted to overlie the flange l1 and having a central aperture 89through which the tubular portion, 15 of the coupling member 22 isinserted prior to securement to the hose l5. An annular recess 99 isformed at the interior of the sleeve 86 for receiving agasket 9| adaptedto form, a seal between the sleeve and the outer wall of the bossportion 50.

The interior of the sleeve 86. is. furtherprovided with an annularinwardly facing recess 92 and the outer wall of the boss portion isprovided with an outwardly facing annular recess 94 opposite the recess92. A pair of parallel apertures 95, preferably having a rectangularcross-section, extend through the sleeve 86 and intersect, atdiametrically opposite points in tangential relation, the recess formedby the adjacent opposed recesses 92 and 94.

The sleeve 85 of the coupling member 22 and the boss 59 of the couplingmember 2| are detachably connected by a substantially U-shaped clip 95(Figure 3) having a pair of parallel legs 9? of rectangularcross-section extending through the apertures 95 to interlock the sleeveand boss at their respective recesses as shown in Figure 2.

Referring again to Figure l, the combined fluid pressure medium releasecontrol valve and manifold coupling units I4 for the cylinders B aresubstantially identical to unit [4 described in connection with Figure2, except that they are not provided with a control device l6, wherebyactuation of the main valve can only be effected by pressure medium fromthe manifold upon discharge of a cylinder A. The tubular boss I! on thevalve body defining the chamber 10 (Figure 2) is capped by a closure l8to prevent foreign matter from entering the passages 66 and ll of thevalve body and to guard against tampering with or accidental unseatingof the pilot valve member 69.

The operation of the system and the elements thereof will be bestunderstood by reference to Figures 2, 4 and 5.

In Figure 2, the unit I4 is shown in position as normally assembled inthe system. The main valve member as and the pilot valve member 69 areseated and the coupling members 2! and 22 are connected. The stem 45 ofthe valve member 46 is in its lowermost position in its supporting well44 of the main valve member whereby the valve member 45 is ofi its seat52 and is out of contact with the piston assembly sleeve 59. The stem45, when in this position and due to itsv length, engages and maintainsthe ball off its seat 29 with the flange slightly below its spider.

Thus, if the unit I4 is to be actuated by pressure medium from themanifold Hi, there is a clear passage from the hose 15 through theconduit means of the coupling members to the pas sage 12 of the pistonassembly. Likewise, the unit is conditioned for actuation by pressuremedium within the cylinder or receptacle upo unseating of the pilotvalve member.

In Figure 4, the elements of the unit l4 are shown in the positions theyassume after the piston 55 is actuated by either pressure medium fromthe manifold or the receptacle. When the piston has moved to itslowermost position, as shown, the main valve member 49 is unseated andmedium from the receptacle passes through the apertures 62 of the pistonassembly sleeve 60 to the interior thereof. Release of such mediumdrives the valve member 45 upwardly to provide a discharge opening ofsufficient area between the member 48 and the upper end of the sleeve59, and the upper end of the stem 45 of the member it moves the ball 88upwardly and away from its seat 9 to more fully uncover the port definedby this seat and thereby provide for discharge of the medium into. themanifold by way of the conduit means in the coupling member and the hosel5.

However, the extent of upward movement of the ball 3d is limited by theflange 85, which now engages the underside of the spider 8|, whereby theextent of the upward movement of the stem 45 is likewise limited,preferably to position the valve member 46 a sufiicient distance fromits seat 52 to facilitate rapid discharge of the medium through the portdefined by this seat.

In Figure 5, the unit M is shown with its coupling members disconnected,which is a commonly occurring condition of the elements shown when thecylinder is removed from the system for checking the weight of itscontents or for charging or replacement.

Should the system be now operated, fluid pressure medium is not lostthrough the disconnected hose coupling member 22, because the ball 88 isnow free to move and is driven upon its seat 19 to close the conduitmeans outlet of the coupling member.

Similarly, should the disconnected receptacle be discharged accidentallyor unintentionally, no harm will result due to a jet propulsion orrecoil effect, because the valve member 56 is now free to move and isdriven upon its seat 52 to prevent the rapid discharge of medium throughthe conduit means outlet defined by this seat.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the presentinvention provides an improved system for dispensing fluid pressuremedium wherein a combined fluid medium release valve and manifoldcoupling unit overcomes the difficulties heretofore encountered withsuch systems in a simple and practical manner.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to beunderstood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in any limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A valve comprising a housing having a bore extending therethroughprovided with inlet and outlet sections, each formed with a valve seatand an opening, and provided with an enlarged intermediate bore section;a piston in said enlarged bore section having a through bore and havinga tubular extension at each side thereof, one of which extends into saidoutlet bore section and the other of which extends into said inlet boresection, said inlet section extension having lateral opening meansadjacent its free end and having a valve member thereon for engagingsaid inlet section valve seat; a second valve member for engaging saidoutlet section valve seat; and means for slidably mounting said lastmentioned valve member relative to and coaxially of said outlet sectionextension.

2. A valve according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means includeelements so constructed and arranged to maintain said second valvemember out of engagement with the free end of said outlet sectionextension.

3. A valve according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means include acentral well in said first valve member and a stem on which second valvemember is mounted slidably supported in said well, said stem being of alength to maintain said second valve member out of engagement with thefree end of said outlet section extension.

4. A valve comprising a housing having a bore extending therethroughprovided with inlet and outlet sections, each formed with a valve seatand an opening, and provided with an enlarged intermediate bore section;a piston in said enlarged bore section having a through bore and havinga tubular extension at each side thereof, one of which extends into saidoutlet bore section and the other of which extends into said inlet boresection, said inlet section extension having lateral opening meansadjacent its free end and having a valve member thereon for engagingsaid inlet section valve seat; a second valve member for engaging saidoutlet section valve seat; means for slidably mounting said lastmentioned valve member relative to and coaxially of said outlet sectionextension, a coupling member adapted to be secured to said housing oversaid housing bore outlet opening having an opening adapted to registerwith said last mentioned valve seat and being formed with a valve seat;a third valve member for said last mentioned valve seat; and means forpreventing said second and third valve members from engaging theirrespective valve seats when said coupling member is secured to saidvalve housing.

5. A valve according to claim 4, wherein said last mentioned meansinclude an extension on said second valve member for engaging said thirdvalve member and moving the same 011 its seat and a stop for limitingthe movement of said third valve member away from its seat.

6. A valve comprising a housing having a bore extending therethroughprovided with inlet and outlet sections, each formed with a valve seatand an opening, and provided with an enlarged intermediate bore section;a piston in said enlarged bore section having a through bore and havinga tubular extension at each side thereof, one of which extends into saidoutlet bore section and the other of which extends into said inlet boresection, said inlet section extension having lateral opening meansadjacent its free end and having a valve member thereon for engagingsaid inlet section valve seat; a second valve member for engaging saidoutlet section valve seat; means for slidably mounting said lastmentioned valve member relative to and coaxially of said outlet sectionextension, said mounting means including elements so constructed andarranged to maintain said second valve member out of engagement with thefree end of said outlet section extension; and means for connecting saidhousing bore outlet opening to a source of fluid pressure medium; saidpiston having a passage extending from its through bore to said enlargedhousing bore section.

7. A valve according to claim 6, wherein said housing has a passageextending from its inlet bore section opening to its enlarged boresection; a valve is provided for controlling said last mentionedpassage; and a check valve is provided in said piston passage forpreventing the flow of fluid from said enlarged housing bore to saidpiston through bore.

8. A valve comprising a housing having a bore extending therethroughprovided with inlet and outlet sections, each formed with a valve seatand an opening, and provided with an enlarged intermediate bore sectionand a passage extending from its inlet bore section to said enlargedbore section; a valve for controlling said passage; a piston in saidenlarged bore section having a through bore and having a tubularextension at each side thereof one of which extends into said outletbore section and the other of which extends into said inlet boresection, said piston having a passage extending from its through bore tosaid enlarged housing bore section and having lateral opening meansadjacent the free end of said inlet section extension; a valve membersecured to said inlet section extension forming a closure for saidpiston bore and being adapted to engage said. inlet section valve seat;check valve means in said piston passage for preventing flow of fluidfrom said enlarged housing bore to said piston bore; a second valvemember for engaging said outlet section valve seat; means for slidablymounting said last mentioned valve member relative to and coaxially ofsaid outlet section extension including elements so constructed andarranged to maintain said second valve member out of engagement with thefree end of said outlet section extension; a coupling member adapted tobe secured to said housing over said housing bore outlet opening havingan opening formed with a valve seat and adapted to register with saidoutlet section opening; a third valve member for said last mentionedvalve seat; and means for preventing said second and third valve membersfrom engaging their respective valve seats when said coupling member issecured to said valve housing.

9. In combination, a main valve having a movable valve seat memberprovided with a port and having an outlet for releasing fluid mediumunder pressure from a receptacle, a valve member normally closing saidvalve seat port, coupling means adapted for connecting said valve outletto a manifold including upper and lower coupling members respectivelyprovided with downstream and upstream facing valve seats each having aport, a check valve in each of said coupling members for engaging therespective seats thereof to prevent the flow of pressure medium throughsaid check valve ports when said coupling members are disconnected, saidlower check valve being slidably mounted on said valve member betweensaid valve member and said upstream facing seat to enable said lowercheck valve to be moved independently of said valve member and having astem section at its downstream end adapted to engage said upper checkvalve, said upper coupling member having stop means for limiting thedownstream movement of said upper check valve and said lower check valvein engagement therewith when said coupling members are connected tomaintain said check valves off their seats and thereby to permit theflow of 1G pressure medium through said check valve ports, and means formoving said valve seat member to cause said valve member to unclose saidvalve port.

10. In combination, a main valve having a movable valve seat memberprovided with a port and having an outlet for releasing fluid mediumunder pressure from a receptacle, a valve member normally closing saidvalve seat port, coupling means adapted to for connecting said valveoutlet to a manifold including upper and lower coupling membersrespectively provided with downstream and upstream facing valve seatseach having a port, a check valve in each of said coupling members forengaging the respective seats thereof to prevent the flow of pressuremedium through said check valve ports when said coupling members aredisconnected, said lower check valve being slidably mounted on saidvalve member between said valve member and said upstream facing seat toenable said lower check valve to be moved independently of said valvemember and having a stem section at its downstream end adapted to engagesaid upper check valve, said upper coupling member having stop means forlimiting the downstream movement of said upper check valve and saidlower check valve in engagement therewith when said coupling members areconnected to maintain said check valves ofi their seats and thereby topermit the flow of pressure medium through said ports, and pressureoperable piston means for moving said valve seat member to cause saidvalve member to unclose said main valve port including a passage in themain valve adapted for communication with the manifold through saidports when said check valves are ofi their seats.

HARRY C. GRANT, J R.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2.0721577 Allen Mar. 2, 1937 2,218,318 Pfauser Oct. 15, 19402,412,613 Grant, Jr Dec. 17, 1946 2,451,218 Hengst Oct. 12, 19482,485,006 Main Oct. 18, 1949

